KTM IN THE NEWS

The issues surrounding the deteriorating state of the country's public
transportation system are not new, and were covered by Malay Mail in May.

We had reported the fast deteriorating state of rail travel in the country,
including the KTM Komuter service as well as the under-utilised Rawang-Ipoh
double tracking line.

Investigations showed that no electric train is running on the 192km-long
Rawang-Ipoh double track, despite it being commissioned last November at an
estimated cost of RM4.8 billion. The trains are expected to arrive next year
and can only service the route in 2010.

Last June opposition Members of Parliament had questioned the Transport
Ministry's decision to award the RM12.5 billion Ipoh- Padang Besar
double-tracking project to MMC Corp and Gamuda.

Malay Mail launched investigations to ascertain the whereabouts of the
trains after learning that only 21 of the original fleet of 62 were
servicing the Klang Valley the previous month.

The probe led to the discovery of a train "graveyard" at the KTM depot in
Sentul, where several trains were being cannibalised for parts while others
were undergoing repairs or refurbishment. Some had been decommissioned after
being involved in major accidents.

The report also touched on the China-made trains, some of which sources
claimed were being used to ply West Coast routes. Sources had claimed that
as the wheels were not built to specification and were wearing out faster
than conventional, built-to-specification trains.

It was also claimed that the trains could not run at full speed as the
wheels and tracks were not compatible.
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A whopping RM200 million was spent to buy 20 China-made Class 29 locomotives
that were supposed to pave the way for a smoother rail service. Yet, less
than three years later, only five are in service.

The rest? Lying abandoned in various Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) yards
across the country, all mothballed because of a laundry list of technical
problems.

This is the grim reality of the Malaysian transportation system. Poor
decision-making, a disregard for key technical advice and lack of foresight
have led to observers labelling the China deal as akin to an "economic train
wreck".

The locomotives, commonly referred to as "Dalian loco", were bought in 2005
by the government from China Railway Communication Company Ltd for RM20
million each. The high-powered diesel electric locomotives, capable of
hauling 2,500 tonnes of cargo, were supposed to have complemented the
previous purchase of 20 units of Class 26 Blue Tiger locomotives from
General Electric, Germany.

With the China purchase, KTMB in 2005 had 40 locomotives at its disposal.

However, an industry source said the number has now whittled down to almost
half. This, he said, was because the Dalian locos had severe technical
problems and broke down within months of use.

This is in stark contrast to the German-made Blue Tiger locomotives, which
have been proven to be relatively problem-free despite being in service for
more than five years.

It is understood that a locomotive's average lifespan is between 20 to 25
years.

"The breakdown of the Dalian locos had nothing to do with the country's
infrastructure or existing trains," said the source, adding that the Dalian
locos were of inferior quality and required more frequent maintenance.

He claimed that within months of use, at least 11 had to be repaired daily,
leading to the disruption of cargo and passenger services. This forced KTMB
to rely on 15 locomotives leased from India, reportedly at a rate of
US$1,000 (RM4,787) per train daily.

It is alleged that the original quality assessment reports had recommended
against buying the Dalian locos, but the authorities nevertheless pressed
on.

"The mess could have been avoided had the authorities taken heed of the
advice. It is a total waste of public funds," the source said.

He added that KTMB played no part in the decision to purchase them.
"However, as a result of this, it is KTMB's image that has taken a beating."

The debacle has also drawn flak from Railwaymen's Union of Malaysia (RUM)
president Abdul Razak Md Hassan who believed that, by right, 80 per cent of
the Dalian locomotives should be in operation.

"Unfortunately, the reality is that only 25 per cent or, specifically, five
of the locomotives, are serving our needs," he said.

The government, meanwhile, has acknowledged that the Dalian locomotives were
non-operational.

Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat, in confirming that the trains were
currently not in use, said he has since ordered KTMB to account for them.

"Since they were brand new, KTMB has been directed to do so. They have to
take stock of these idle units," he said.